Elgin IL vs Sandy Springs GA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Elgin
114,106
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Elgin
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
Elgin
36.3
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
16.8%
White
Elgin
45.4%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
Elgin
5.2%
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Sandy Springs +
Asian
Elgin
6.0%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
Elgin
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 114,106 | 107,198 | Elgin + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 37.1 | Elgin + |
| Foreign Born | 26.5% | 16.8% | Elgin + |
| White | 45.4% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 5.2% | 20.0% | Sandy Springs + |
| Asian | 6.0% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 48.4% | 11.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Elgin
$88,316
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
Elgin
$36,037
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Unemployment Rate
Elgin
6.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
Elgin
10.4%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Elgin
26.0%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,316 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,037 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $57,405 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.4% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 26.0% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
50.7%
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $333,920 | $694,123 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 71.5% | 50.7% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
392
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Elgin
1842
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 392 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
35.8%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.1%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Elgin
16.0%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Elgin
16.8%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Elgin
18.1%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Elgin
12.2%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.8% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
48.7°F
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Elgin
37.8 in
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Elgin +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Elgin
55.0%
Sandy Springs
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Elgin + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Elgin
30.4 min
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | Elgin, IL | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.4 min | 27.9 min | Sandy Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 392 in Sandy Springs. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Elgin has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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